Culture minister gives festival organisers cause for hope

Sarah Moss, event organiser for Jack Up Events, who leads the consortium, is hopeful of government insurance backing as they plan their shows for next year and avoid another financial meltdown as they did this summer, with cancellations, due to Covid-19.

Sarah Moss, event organiser for Jack Up Events. Photo: Jo Monck

The consortium includes several of the Island's longest-standing and most respected festivals and summer shows, including Jack Up the Summer, the Garlic Festival and the Chale Show.

They met, via Zoom, with Caroline Dinenage MP, the Minister of State for Digital and Culture in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Wednesday.

Caroline Dineage MP, the Minister of State for Digital and Culture. Photo: gov.uk

They were joined by Island MP Bob Seely and Paul Reed, chief executive of the Association of Independent Festivals.

"We found the minister to be very understanding and keen to work with government to ensure the essential clarity and guidance required for future planning — and to safeguard events culturally and economically significant to Island life, so we can all return safely in 2021" said Sarah.

"The Isle of Wight was one of the few constituencies she agreed to meet with, owing to the importance of festivals to our economy."

Jack Up Events hope to see more revellers like these at next year's planned event, Jack Up the Summer Vol. 8. FILE

Sarah, behind the popular Jack Up the Summer shows, said collectively festivals (excluding the IW Festival) and events inject more than £30m into the Island's economy — and more when the multiplier effect on local spending on the likes of accommodation provision, cafes, shops, restaurants and other Island attractions are taken into account.

She said they also raise more than £70,000 annually for local charities and good causes.

Some of the revellers enjoying last year's Jack Up the Summer show. FILE

Read more: John Giddings is hopeful IW Festival will be back in 2021

In the Commons last week, Caroline Dineage went on to say: "Festivals are such a vibrant and integral part of our creative community and economy, so I'm well aware many will take decisions very soon on whether they can go ahead next year.

"This is a very urgent situation. We are looking very specifically at how we can get festivals reopened."

However, Julian Knight, chairman of the DCMS committee, warned there would be “no festival season next year” unless insurance is underwritten, in case of Covid disruption.

Julian Knight MP, chairman of the government's DCMS committee, warns there will be no festivals if they cannot be insured against Covid disruption.

Sarah added: "An insurance scheme underwritten by the government would make a huge difference in allowing our sector to rebuild and to play our part in rebooting the Island's economy.

"As an industry, we are focused on how we can prepare to open as safely and as quickly as possible.

"An insurance scheme will enable festivals and events to continue to plan and provide stimulus to the multitude of self-employed workers and small Island businesses that support our events.

Jack Up Events organiser, Sarah Moss, spoke to the culture minister about the plight of festivals and events on the Island amid coronavirus. Photo: Jo Monck

"The industry was one of the first to be shut down due to the pandemic and is likely to be one of the last to reopen.

"I am delighted the minister recognises the cultural significance of festivals and has specifically noted the Island's unique and extensive festival and events sector.

"Her support — and that of our MP — are crucial at this time as we collectively navigate our way through these challenging times.

"Government is working hard on finding a solution to give us all the necessary confidence to plan ahead and this, coupled with the roll-out of a vaccine, makes for very encouraging news for Island festivals and events as we head into the new year."